Housing Issues for People with Disabilities

Being part of the community and living as independently as possible are among the most important values and goals shared by people with disabilities, their families, and advocates. A home of one’s own – either rented or owned – is the cornerstone of independence for people with disabilities. However, across the U.S. people with disabilities, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), face a severe housing crisis.

Affordability

The affordability gap for people with disabilities has exponentially worsened in recent years. According to Priced Out in 2014, approximately 4.9 million non-institutionalized Americans with disabilities who rely on federal monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have incomes averaging only $8,995 per year – low enough to be priced out of every rental housing market in the nation. In 2014, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $780 per month – or 104% of the national average monthly SSI income for beneficiaries living independently.

Accessibility

An accessible home offers specific features or technologies to accommodate people with disabilities, such as lowered kitchen counters and sinks, roll-under stoves, widened doorways, wheel-in showers and raised electrical outlets. For people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, finding housing with even basic accessibility features (e.g. an entrance with no steps) ranges from daunting to impossible. In addition, accessible units can be very costly to rent or purchase.

Aging Caregivers

Across the U.S., over 850,000 people with I/DD live with an aging caregiver (age 60 and older). As this generation of caregivers continues to age, many of their adult children with I/DD may be at risk of institutionalization or homelessness due to the shortage of housing and support services.

Housing Discrimination

People with disabilities all too often face discrimination when seeking housing. In fact, complaints by people with disabilities often make up the majority of discrimination complaints received by HUD’s Fair Housing Enforcement Office. Multiple federal laws prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in public and privately funded housing. Learn more on The Arc’s Civil Rights page.

Availability

Finally, the supply of affordable, accessible housing remains far less than the need. Key programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that seek to increase affordable housing for people with disabilities, include:

Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program. Section 811 is the only HUD program dedicated to producing affordable, accessible housing for non-elderly, very low-income people with significant disabilities. Section 811 was recently modernized by the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act to make the program more efficient and to substantially increase the units that the program creates. As modernized by the Melville Act, Section 811 housing is typically integrated into larger affordable housing apartment buildings, and is linked with voluntary supports and services. Tenants pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent which ensures affordability for people who receive SSI.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. HUD's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program helps very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford rental housing in the private market. About 1 in 3 households using Section 8 vouchers are headed by a non-elderly (under age 62) person with a disability. Tenants must be low-income, and typically pay 30 percent of their income for rent. Participants must find their own housing, but can choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. Due to limited funding and high need, most parts of the country have long waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers.

Public Housing. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high-rise apartments. About 1 in 5 households living in public housing are headed by a non- elderly (under age 62) person with a disability. Tenants must be low-income, and typically pay 30 percent of their income for rent. Like Section 8 vouchers, availability is limited and applicants may be on waiting lists for years.

National Housing Trust Fund. The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) is a new, dedicated fund that will provide grants to states to build, preserve, and rehabilitate housing for people with the lowest incomes. The NHTF was established by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-289).

Current Housing Headlines

On March 2, the Senate confirmed Ben Carson as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development by a vote of 58-41. HUD is the cabinet level department that oversees federal housing programs and enforces housing laws such as the … Continue reading →

On January 24, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full Senate confirm Dr. Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD is the cabinet level department that oversees federal … Continue reading →

The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Dr. Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on January 24. HUD is the cabinet level department that oversees federal housing … Continue reading →

Our Legislative Agenda for Housing

Committees of Jurisdiction

CCD Housing Task Force

The CCD Housing Task Force works with Congress and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase access to decent, safe and affordable housing for all people with disabilities and to protect the rights guaranteed under the Fair Housing Act.